Danny Kanell explains why Georgia deserves No. 1 spot in CFP rankings

With two weeks of playoff rankings out, we’re only going to split more and more hairs when it comes to the top teams in the nation. Still, if it were up to Danny Kanell, he says Georgia would be his top dog over the current No. 1 in Ohio State.

Kanell shared that opinion during ‘Always College Football’ this week. He did say that he hates to let the outcome of previous seasons affect his view on this season. However, considering that the Bulldogs have continued to win at a historic pace, he believes they still deserve to be in first until there’s finally a blemish on their record.

“I would have Georgia at number one. I do think there is something – and I know we’re not supposed to do this. It’s supposed to be each year in a vacuum. But, in order to be the best, you have to beat the best. And, Georgia, how many games are we talking about now that they’ve won consecutively? I mean it is really impressive what they’ve done,” said Kanell. “I know they were tested, somewhat, earlier this year by South Carolina, Auburn on the road. But they’ve risen to the occasion.”

“I just think they deserve to be number one until somebody beats them,” Kanell said. “I think they deserve to be number one.”

Kanell thinks this outlook also applies to the eye test of Georgia as much as it does their resume. Based on what we have seen from them this far, he sees the Bulldogs firmly in the top-two if not the top spot.

“Then the eye test? They’re not as dominant as they’ve been in the past. But why is that the bar? The bar is this year against every other team,” said Kanell. “Nobody outside of Michigan has been as impressive as Georgia.”

With all that said, Kanell does think this could correct itself on Saturday. The ‘Dawgs will be in a Top-10 matchup against Ole Miss while the Buckeyes will host Michigan State. Even if Ohio State wins, he believes it will give Georgia enough of a boost to leap Ohio State and reclaim their place at No. 1.

“I do think, this weekend, if they beat Ole Miss? Ohio State has Michigan State. So I think that would be the leapfrog and maybe that’s what the committee (is waiting for),” said Kanell.

Nolan Smith to serve as College GameDay’s guest picker for Georgia vs. Ole Miss

Nolan Smith is set to serve as the celebrity guest picker on ESPN’s College GameDay this week, he announced via Instagram.

Smith is currently playing in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles, who are on a bye this week. He played for the Bulldogs from 2019-22 and helped the program win back-to-back national championships before heading to the pros.

Nolan Smith is coming back to Athens on Saturday 🐶🦅#CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/jYocQgh9iB

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 9, 2023

“Nolan Smith here, outside linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles. I’m not a celebrity, but I will be your guest picker at 11:30 on Saturday, and you know who I’m rooting for,” Smith said in the video. “Come watch me talk trash on the stage and I will be back in Athens for the first time in a long time. Go Dawgs and the Philly Dawgs coming at you.”

College GameDay is making the trip to Athens this week for Georgia’s highly anticipated game against Ole Miss.